Ulysses S. Grant: (Aprill 27, 1822-July 3, 1885) Political Party: Republican Terms: 2 Terms from March 4, 1869- March 4, 1877 Vice President: Schuyler Colfax for the first term, then Henry Wilson, who served for the first 2 years of Grant's second term until he died.
Grade
During the post-civil war era, many americans had the idea that a good general would make a good president. This notion proved to be false because Grant, arguably the most decorated general in American history made a mediocre president at best. Throughout Grant's presidency, many scandals broke out questioning his reliability. Although there were scandals, he did help with reconstruction, and did his very best to restore the country to where it was prior to the civil war. I believe Grant deserves a C+ for his presidency because the good he did for the reconstruction of the country and equality of all people outweight the scandals.
Goals
Grants main goals in his presidency were to meld the North and South back together after the civil war. He wanted to restore things back to the way they used to be. Also, he wanted equal rights for blacks. In his fight for African Americans, Grant eventually won passage for the 15th ammendment which allowed freedman the right to vote. This ammendment however, did not apply to women, which later lead to women's uprisings. He also passed the Civil rights Act of 1875.
For reconstructing the country, and bringing the country back together, Grant supported the removal of federal troops from the south. This showed how he wanted the North and South to get along again. He wanted all troups removed from the south that were not needed to protect the blacks. Grant's suport of the removal of troups eventually lead the the compromise of 1877.
Relationship w/ Congress
Grant had a great relationship with congress. He had a majority of republicans in both the House and the Senate for the first 6 years of his presidency. However, in the last 2 years, the democrats gained control of the house, which made it difficult for Grant to pass laws. The greatest conflicts between Grant and congress came during the panic of 1873, when they couldnt agree on what legislation needed to be passed to point the country in the right direction. Other then this, Grant's relationship with congress was pretty much flawless.
Greatest Achievement:
Grant's greatest achievement during his presidency was the ratification of the 15th ammendment. This was a huge stride in civil rights, as it gave blacks the right to vote. It could have been better if the 15th ammendment accounted for women as well as men, but I guess baby steps toward complete equal rights was better. His support of the 15th ammendment also pretty much won him his second term of office, as he gained the majority of black voters.
Negative Thing:
The most negative part of Grant's presidency were the scandals! The Credit Mobiler, Wiskey scandal, and te Fisk/Gould scandal were rediculous, and Grant was to blind to see any of it. The Credit Mobiler was a fake construction company made by a railroad that hired itself at inflated prices. Grant's own advisors/ fellow politicians also stole money from the whiskey tax in the frivilous whiskey scandal. Finally, Fisk and Gould tried to madly bring up the price of gold to screw over markets and gain personal profits. Grant should have paid more attention, and ended the Spoils System, but no, he didn't see any of it.
Lasting Effect:
Grant left a lasting impact on future presidents. His support of the 15th ammendment helped set the framework for blacks to be equal to everyone else. Also, due to all of the scandals in his presidency, the Spoinls System eventually came to an end. His presidency wasn't great, but it was OK. He deserves a liitle over the average C because he helped bring the country back together and give blacks rights. These things outweigh the scandals, and for that reason, Grant deserves a C+.
Political Party: Republican
Terms: 2 Terms from March 4, 1869- March 4, 1877
Vice President: Schuyler Colfax for the first term, then Henry Wilson, who served for the first 2 years of Grant's second term until he died.
Grade
During the post-civil war era, many americans had the idea that a good general would make a good president. This notion proved to be false because Grant, arguably the most decorated general in American history made a mediocre president at best. Throughout Grant's presidency, many scandals broke out questioning his reliability. Although there were scandals, he did help with reconstruction, and did his very best to restore the country to where it was prior to the civil war. I believe Grant deserves a C+ for his presidency because the good he did for the reconstruction of the country and equality of all people outweight the scandals.
Goals
Grants main goals in his presidency were to meld the North and South back together after the civil war. He wanted to restore things back to the way they used to be. Also, he wanted equal rights for blacks. In his fight for African Americans, Grant eventually won passage for the 15th ammendment which allowed freedman the right to vote. This ammendment however, did not apply to women, which later lead to women's uprisings. He also passed the Civil rights Act of 1875.
For reconstructing the country, and bringing the country back together, Grant supported the removal of federal troops from the south. This showed how he wanted the North and South to get along again. He wanted all troups removed from the south that were not needed to protect the blacks. Grant's suport of the removal of troups eventually lead the the compromise of 1877.
Relationship w/ Congress
Grant had a great relationship with congress. He had a majority of republicans in both the House and the Senate for the first 6 years of his presidency. However, in the last 2 years, the democrats gained control of the house, which made it difficult for Grant to pass laws. The greatest conflicts between Grant and congress came during the panic of 1873, when they couldnt agree on what legislation needed to be passed to point the country in the right direction. Other then this, Grant's relationship with congress was pretty much flawless.
Greatest Achievement:
Grant's greatest achievement during his presidency was the ratification of the 15th ammendment. This was a huge stride in civil rights, as it gave blacks the right to vote. It could have been better if the 15th ammendment accounted for women as well as men, but I guess baby steps toward complete equal rights was better. His support of the 15th ammendment also pretty much won him his second term of office, as he gained the majority of black voters.
Negative Thing:
The most negative part of Grant's presidency were the scandals! The Credit Mobiler, Wiskey scandal, and te Fisk/Gould scandal were rediculous, and Grant was to blind to see any of it. The Credit Mobiler was a fake construction company made by a railroad that hired itself at inflated prices. Grant's own advisors/ fellow politicians also stole money from the whiskey tax in the frivilous whiskey scandal. Finally, Fisk and Gould tried to madly bring up the price of gold to screw over markets and gain personal profits. Grant should have paid more attention, and ended the Spoils System, but no, he didn't see any of it.
Lasting Effect:
Grant left a lasting impact on future presidents. His support of the 15th ammendment helped set the framework for blacks to be equal to everyone else. Also, due to all of the scandals in his presidency, the Spoinls System eventually came to an end. His presidency wasn't great, but it was OK. He deserves a liitle over the average C because he helped bring the country back together and give blacks rights. These things outweigh the scandals, and for that reason, Grant deserves a C+.
Bibliography
"Ulysses S. Grant." Wikipedia. 12 Nov. 2009. Web. 12 Nov. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulyses_S._Grant#Presidency_1869.E2.80.931877>.
"United States Senate." Senate.gov. United States Senate, 2009. Web. 12 Nov. 2009. <http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/one_item_and_teasers/partydiv.htm>.